Updates

This Boxing Day, as fox hunts meet around the UK including in Scotland, Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone has pledged to publish a consultation on plans to introduce an effective fox hunting ban and better protect Scotland’s wild mammals.

Boxing Day hunts include the Berwickshire hunt, which meets in Greenlaw - events described as an “annual family ritual” by the Countryside Alliance but which Ms Johnstone says are cruel.

In November Alison observed a hunt in the Borders with investigators from the League Against Cruel Sports.

The festive season often gives cause to reminisce about the past: happier times, sadder times, younger times. And it has become a seasonal ritual to consider those less fortunate, those for whom this is a difficult time, those who are alone.

Social isolation and loneliness are on the increase. And, according to research from three continents, loneliness is as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Lonely people are will have poorer mental and physical health and are 50% more likely to die prematurely than those with healthy social relationships.

Scottish Greens Europe spokesperson Ross Greer MSP today (18 Dec) challenged the Scottish Government over its failure to show the public its plans for public healthcare, the water supply and other essential services in the event of a No Deal Brexit.

Questioning Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell in Parliament, Mr Greer pressed for contingency plans to be put into the public domain and the Cabinet Secretary replied that he would "get officials to look into this".

Scottish Greens transport spokesperson John Finnie MSP has called on the Scottish Government to end the current ScotRail franchise as chaos continues across the rail network.

Mr Finnie, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, made the call in parliament this afternoon (18 Dec 2018). He highlighted the Scottish Government’s ambition to take control of Network Rail, which is currently controlled by the UK Government. Greens support the devolution of Network Rail, and believe that both track and train operations should be run by a public sector operator.

Derek Mackay has unveiled his tax and spending plans for next year. For a minority Government, that’s only half the story. He must now find a way of securing the consent of at least one other party for the budget to pass at Holyrood.

Patrick Harvie has accused Derek Mackay of ‘sleight of hand to conceal council cuts’, warning at FMQs today (13 December) that the Scottish Greens will not enter budget negotiations unless the Government gives councils the tax powers they need.

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP today (12 Dec) criticised SNP Ministers for failing to use the publication of the draft 2019-20 Scottish Budget to act on the need for local tax reform and the climate crisis.

The Greens have been making the case for meaningful progress on the local tax reform agenda, to enable councils to raise more funds in a fair way to protect local services. The party has set out specific proposals on Council Tax, non-domestic rates and new ideas to broaden the local tax base.

The two Scottish Green MSPs who, together with SNP and Labour politicians, brought the case on whether the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50 have welcomed today’s 'momentous' ruling of the European Court of Justice, saying it ‘points to a clear way out of the Brexit mess.’

The Scottish Greens today (9 Dec) issued a warning to the Scottish Government that the party’s precondition for entering budget talks has not yet been met, with just days to go before the budget is published.

Patrick Harvie MSP has reminded the SNP’s Finance Secretary that the Greens are the only party ever to bring down a Scottish budget, having been unable to reach agreement after months of negotiation with Mr Mackay’s predecessor, John Swinney.